Usage of Sweet Flag / Acorus calamus in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view

Usage of Sweet Flag / Acorus calamus in Aurvede , its action in ayurvedic and modern point of view


Latin: Acorus calamus Linn.

Family: Araceae

Vernacular names: Sanskrit - Vacha; Hindi - Bach; English -
Sweet Flag; Unani - Buch; Tamil - Vasamber; Persian - Agar
turki; Japanese - Shobu; Chinese - Shui chang; German -
Kalmus

Part Used: Rhizome

Ayurvedic Energetics:
Rasa: bitter, pungent
Veerya: heating
Vipaka: pungentGunas: light, sharp, subtle

Doshas: VP- ; K+

Pharmacological Action: nervine, antispasmatic, sedative,
stomachic, expectorant, emetic, laxative, diuretic

Clinical Research: The essential oil free alcoholic extract of the
rhizome was found to possess sedtive and analgesic
properties; it has moderate hypotensive and respiratory
depressant effects. When administered to experimental animals
the oil reduces muscle tone and response to tactile and
auditory stimuli. Asarone and beta-asarone are the constituents
credited with the sedative and nervine effects. The alcoholic
extract has also shown antifungal effects.

Traditional Uses: Sweet Flag is presently classified as an
unsafe herb for internal usage by the FDA. It has been used for
centuries, however, in Ayurvedic medicine as a renowned
rejuvenator of the nervous system for conditions of anxiety,
hysteria, insomnia, neurasthenia, and other nervous
complaints. It is useful in all conditions of excess vata and is
known to enhance awareness and improve memory. A decoction of the root acts as a carminative removing
discomfort caused by excess intestinal gas. According to Duke,
Orientals use the root decoction in bronchitis and as an
aphrodisiac. A small piece of the root is chewed to overcome
mental fatigue. The skin of the root is hemostatic. It has been
used in dyspepsia, dysentery, headache, gout, and rheumatism.
The juice of the root is applied to boils, carbuncles, and painful
joints. In large doses it is emetic. The powdered root is used as
a snuff to relieve nasal congestion and mental weariness.

Indications: mental fatigue, memory loss, anxiety, bronchitis,
sinusitus, common headache, flatulence, joint pains

Formulations and Dosage:

decoction : 50ml.
milk decoction with powdered ginger (for digestive indications)
powder :5 g intranasally



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Ayrvedic Indian Medicinal Plants